FBN: Estimated Storm Damage To County Will Exceed +20 Million-click the title link for more-

Costs To Fort Bend From Hurricane Ike Easily Will Exceed $20 Million
by Bob Dunn, FBN

Fort Bend County will sustain well beyond $20 million in costs attributed to Hurricane Ike, the edge of which blew through the county Sept. 13.

County Judge Bob Hebert said at Tuesday's Commissioners Court session that it probably will cost the county $20 million for debris clean-up alone after the storm. He estimated 750,000 to 1 million cubic feet of tree limbs and other debris were left on the ground.

Fort Bend also realized hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages to county property, including the First Colony Branch Library, which still is closed, Hebert said. Also, a significant amount of overtime must be paid to deputies and constables who worked long extra hours before and after the hurricane.

Court members voted to declare a budget emergency and authorize spending up to $15 million to cover some of those costs. . .(click the title link above)